Express & Star

Former Trump aide Steve Bannon draws protesters to Edinburgh

The controversial former White House strategist is to speak at the News Xchange 2018 event in the Scottish capital.

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Steve Bannon outside the White House

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon is facing protests as he prepares to address an international media event in Edinburgh.

Mr Bannon, who worked on Donald Trump’s successful presidential election campaign, is due to take part in the News Xchange 2018 conference in the Scottish capital.

But his support for right wing political causes resulted in Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon withdrawing from the event when it was announced he was one of the main speakers.

And demonstrators will be outside the Edinburgh International Conference Centre when he speaks on Wednesday afternoon.

News Xchange is a gathering of journalists and media operators from around the world.

Mr Bannon is scheduled to be interviewed by the BBC’s Sarah Smith.

Organisers last month defended the decision to invite him to take part, saying it was their “journalistic responsibility to share and scrutinise a range of relevant viewpoints within the framework of a balanced debate”.

But Ms Sturgeon insisted at the time she would “not be part of any process that risks legitimising or normalising far right, racist views”.

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